Skill-testing machine



Oct. 8, 1929. c. E. GOERKE 1,730,726

SKILL TESTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 20, 1928 b n 0 l l r I 10; Q) Ll;: i f L, w h q l 2J, 7' 2 I 6' e c E d H m Hill ll Will Patented Oct. 8, 1929 FATENT Q HIE CARL ERNST GOERKE, F GILGE, GERMANY SKILL-TESTING lvmcnmn Application filed September 20, 1928, Serial No. 307,089, and in Germany Gctober 1, 1927.

This invention relates to machines for public entertainment and amusement. It pertains particularly to machines requiring skill in operating and being provided with means for ascertaining the degree of skill displayed.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain new and novel features of construction and combinations as hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims and in the drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 is a side view of the skill testing machine embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section of the skill testing machine on line 22 of Figure 1.

Similar characters of reference denote like parts in both views.

Referring tothe drawings: The frame consists of the lower or bottom plate a and the upper or top plate I) connected through the pillars 0. Between the bottom plate a and the top plate I) a guide rod d is fixed on which the perforated ball or projectile 6 moves. Between these two plates a-and .7) is also located a board f which turnson two pivots and whose outer front edge contains a number of semicircular incisions or cuts 9 marked with running numbers.

For securing the ball or projectile 6 when it is thrown to the highest possible point, a curved hook it is provided attached to the rods 2' and 70 which run through bearings in the blocks Z fastened to the top plate I). A spring m is placed on the rod is resting with one end against the hook it and with the other end against block Z. The hook it is brought into a position for catching and detaining the ball 6 when the latter strikes the forked end of the movable lever a through whose prongs the guide rod cl passes. This end of the lever n is thereby pressed upwards releasing the hook h which it hitherto held .back by resting against the end 0 of the rod z, and the spring m forces the hook h against the ball 6 until the position indicated with dashed lines in Figure 1 is reached. For readjusting the hook it back into its former position the double armed lever p is provided. It turns in the two bearings g and one end of it engages with the ring shaped end of the rod is. By pressing the lever 19 downwards the rod 70 and with it the hook it are pulled back and returned to their former position and the 7 ball or projectile e is released. This position is indicated in Figure 1 with unbroken lines.

For throwing the ball or projectile 6 upwards the two armed lever s is provided turning in two bearings 25 fastened to the bottom plate at. End u of lever s is forked and its prongs pass 011 both sides of the guide rod cl. Lever s can be pressed down until it assumes the position indicated in Figure 1 with dashed lines. WVhen this pressing down of the lever s is done quickly and suddenly and at a time when the board 7 is turned aside as indicated with dashed lines in Figure 2, the ball or projectile e is driven upwards on the guide rod cl. It depends now on the skill of the operator to turn the board 7 back at the proper moment and catch the ball 6 in one of the semicircular cuts 9, if possible in one with a high number, for instance in the cut marked 10.

It rests also with the skill of the operator to prevent the ascending ball 6 from touchthe lever 02 and thereby releasing the hook it which detains the ball. For such a throw no points are given. I

When the result of the throw has been ascertained the board f'is turned aside as shown with dashed lines in Figure 2. Thereby, and if necessary by releasing the ball 0 from the hook h, the ball a is permitted to descend along the guide rod d on to end a of the lever 8. i

The preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed in the drawings and set forth in the specification, but it will be un derstood that modifications within the scope of the claims may be made in the construction without departing from the principle of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

I claim: 7

1. A skill testing machine consisting of a frame, a guide rod fastened in the frame, a perforated ball or projectile located on the guide rod, and a board or lat-h placed in the frame in such a way that it can be turned, Whose front or outer edge runs parallel to the guide rod, can be moved past it and is provided with semicircular cuts or incisions adapted to intercept and hold at various elevations the ball or projectile ascending the guide rod.

2. A skill testing machine consisting of a frame, a guide rod, a perforated ball or projectile located on the guide rod, and a board or lath that can be turned having on its front or outer edge semicircular cuts or incisions for intercepting and holding the ball travelling on the guide rod, and provided with a scale.

3. A skill testing machine consisting of a frame, a guide rod, a perforated ball or projectile located on the guide rod, a board or lath that can be turned and is adapted to intercept and hold the ball or projectile travelling on the guide rod, a device for catching the ball or pro'ectile when it reaches the highest point, consisting of a lever which when struck by the ball reiewes a hook for catching the ball, and a contrivan-ce for readjusting the hook to its former position.

4;. A skill testing machine consisting of a frame, a guide rod, a perforated ball or projectile located on the guide red, a board or lath that can be turned ant is adapted to intercept and hold the ball or projectile travelling on the guide rod, and a device for throwin the ball or projectile upwards consisting or a movable double armed lever located in the frame whose one end is forked and between whose prongs the guide rod passes.

5. A skill testing machine consisting of a frame, a guide rod, a perforated ball or projectile located on the guide rod, a board or lath that can be turned, with cuts or incisions on its outer edge for intercepting and holding the ball or projectile thrown up wards and provided with a scale, a device for catching and holding the ball or projectile when reaching the highest point pos sible, and a contrivance for throwing the ball or projectile upwards.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature CAR-L ERNST GQERKE. 

